A State Police review of alleged threats against Indiana delegates to the Republican National Convention has found that the messages were not criminal.

"The messages brought to the attention of the Indiana State Police constitute political speech and do not rise to the level of being criminal in nature," said Capt. Dave Bursten, a State Police spokesman.

Several of Indiana's delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland said they received a barrage of hate mail from supporters of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump after expressing reservations about the billionaire real estate developer and reality TV star in a Politico story published online Saturday.

The emails warn the delegates that they are being watched and imply they could be targeted.

"You sorry (expletive)!" one email said. "I hope the worst for you and yours!"

"Think before you take a step down the wrong path," another said, "the American people want to have faith in your but it looks like a future in hiding is more appealing."

"Good luck becoming a delegate," a third said, "we are watching you."

Trump's Indiana campaign has called the emails "deplorable."

"They do sound like the intent was to intimidate if not threaten, and we still call for that to stop," Tony Samuel, vice chairman of Trump's Indiana campaign, said Wednesday. "There is no place for that in this campaign. In no way are those emails affiliated with the Trump Indiana campaign, and we still condemn those kinds of actions."

One of the email recipients, Republican 7th Congressional District Chairman Tom John, said the result of the State Police review "is not completely surprising."

"It is a tough line to navigate between threats and appropriate free speech," he said. "I appreciate the authorities reviewing the matter."

Delegates to the national convention could play a key role in selecting the party's nominee. Thirty of Indiana's 57 delegates must vote for the winner of the state's May 3 primary during the first round of voting at the national convention July 18-21. The other 27 delegates must vote for the top vote-getter in their congressional district.

But if no candidate receives a majority of delegates on the first ballot at the convention, the delegates are free to cast their votes for anyone they choose.

Indiana Republican Party leaders are scheduled to select the state's at-large delegates today. District delegates were selected Saturday.